How to Grow one's Postcard Collection

A few insights from Erich Sonntag's experiences--plus a few picture postcards from Rhodesia/Zimbabwe

Every now and then, I’m considering a few options concerning picture postcards: do I just continue posting some specimen about this or that place—or shall we try something else?

Today, we’ll do the latter, and we’ll start with the simple question: how do I grow my picture postcard collection?

Collecting Postcards from Places one Hasn’t Been to

We’ll start with this less-than-special sight of the “Salisbury Skyscrapers”:

The most interesting aspect of this postcard, however, isn’t what is shown on the “front” but what the reverse says. The postcard was never mailed, but here’s what the backside shows:

[transcription] Ich werde versuchen bessere Ansichtskarten von Rhodesien zu bekommen.

[translation] I shall try to get better postcards from Rhodesia.

Some Sights & Marvels from Rhodesia

Mailed in August 1984, the above speciment shows some of the main sights and marvels of Harare, Zimbabwe. Below, the same city seen “from the Kopje” is shown:

Special Greetings from the Rhodes National Gallery

Another valuable insight into collecting postcards from places one has never been to is conveyed via the below specimen:

While it looks a bit like an airport terminal, it shows the Rhodes National Gallery in Salisbury, Zimbabwe—and its reverse provides further clues:

[transcription] Alles diese Karten haben wir in Salisbury gekauft—und vergessen aufzugeben. Bitte nicht böse sein.

[translation] We bought all these postcards in Salisbury—and forgot to mail them. Please don’t be mad.

And now you know the “third avenue” of postcard collecting: beyond receiving postcards by mail and buying them at garage sales or fleamarkets, you could always ask acquaintances and friends to “get some” on their trips.

I shall post some more from Rhodesia/Zimbabwe soon.